Bella Santos files opposition

CEBU, Philippines - Bella Ruby Santos, who was named suspect in the killing of six-year-old Ella Joy Pique, filed her opposition to the motion for partial reconsideration filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) regarding the return of her Mitsubishi Pajero.

Santos, through her counsel, lawyer Rameses Victorious Villagonzalo, appeared in court yesterday to file their opposition to the motion of CIDG pleading the court to allow them to retain custody of the vehicle.

Villagonzalo said this could not be as the court already ruled that the vehicle be returned to his client. He also asked the court to deny the motion of CIDG for lack of merit.

The lawyer said their opposition will highlight the question on whether it was the CIDG or the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) who did the tampering of the plate number of the vehicle.

He said they have a copy of a tabloid’s March 8, 2011 issue wherein the vehicle’s plate number was still LMJ-328. The photo was taken at the Camp Sotero Cabahug Gorordo Avenue, Cebu City.

Villagonzalo said the picture of the seized Pajero still looked like it had the plate number LMJ-382 and was not yet tampered.

This would contradict the statement of the CIDG that during their implementation of the search warrant on March 4, they knew that the plate number was tampered.

“The tampering of the plate number occurred while the Pajero was under the control and possession of the CIDG,” Villagonzalo said.

Villagonzalo claimed they did not tamper the vehicle and would not benefit from tampering the vehicle.

The CIDG’s claim that his client tampered the vehicle is a mere allegation and not supported with facts.

Villagonzalo said “if the owner of the vehicle will tamper the plate number by making it appear that it is LHJ-382, then she will be risking prosecution of the crime of kidnapping with homicide.”

He said the CIDG could not cheat on everyone, adding that CIDG is making their “bad record” worse by making fabricated stories.

The CIDG filed a motion for partial reconsideration arguing that the plate number of the Pajero in question was already tampered before it was seized, appearing to be LHJ-382. — (FREEMAN)